Mold filling mechanism



June 5, 1956 PLUSQUELLIC 2,749,005

MOLD FILLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 4.

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MOLD FILLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 3, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2.

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June 5, 1956 PLUSQUELLIC 2,749,005

MOLD FILLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 3, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

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J1me 1956 1.. PLUSQUELLIC MOLD FILLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledFeb. 5, 1953 N OE /J ATTOENE Ys.

United States Patent F MOLD ILLING MECHANISM Louis Plusquellic,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to National Dairy Research Laboratories, Inc.,Oakdale, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 3, 1953,Serial No. 334,787

7 Claims. (Cl. 226-95) This invention relates to liquid mold fillingmechanisms and, more particularly, to such mechanisms as illustrated in,my co-pending application Serial No. 212,940, filed February 27, 1951,now Patent No. 2,674,397, dated April 6, 1954, for Liquid Mold FillingMechanism. In mechanisms of this general character, congeyors areprovided for feeding molds successively to a filling position Where theliquid subsequently to be frozen is filled into the cavities of the moldpreparatory to advancing the mold into suitable refrigeration mechanism.In these mechanisms and operations of this character, it is extremelyimportant that a precise quantity of liquid be introduced into each ofthe plurality of mold compartments formed in the respective mold unitsor trays.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved form ofliquid mold filling apparatus by means of which a precise quantity ofliquid is filled into each of the molds after the mold has been advancedto and positioned in the filling position.

These and other objects are attained by providing in combination withsuitable conveying and mold positioning mechanism, a filling mechanismwherein a supply valve is provided for each individual mold compartment,these valves communicating with a common reservoir for the liquidsupply, suitable volume control mechanism being provided for thereservoir to insure a desired head of material therein at all times.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention Will be understoodmore fully by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1is an end view, partly broken away and in section, showing a liquid moldfilling apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on the planeindicated by the line 22 of Figure l, and looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken on the plane of line 3-3of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the liquid supply valve shown in Figure 1;

- Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken on the plane indicatedby the line 55 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows,this view showing the mechanism for locating the mold and maintainingthem in filling position;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid system foroperating the valves and mold stop mechanism of this invention; and

Figure 7 is a Wiring diagram showing the circuits by means of which thevalves, timing mechanism and mold locating mechanism may be operated.

Referring to the above drawings, and particularly to Figures land 2, aconveyor supporting guideway is shown at 10 andis provided with amovable conveyor band or belt 11 which moves longitudinally over thesupport Ill Patented June 5, 1956 ice in order to advance molds 12 to afilling mechanism indicated generally at 13.

The filling mechanism comprises a supporting table 14 which, in the formof the invention illustrated herein, comprises a continuation of theconveyor supporting element 10, this structure being mounted uponsuitable framework 15 and legs 16. In Figures 1 and 2 a mold 17 isillustrated as being located in proper filling position beneath afilling valve shown generally at 18. The valve 18 comprises upper andlower plates 19 that are mounted upon supporting brackets 20 carried bythe frame 15 by means of bolts 21 and springs 22 which normally urge theplates 19 together. Aligned ports 23 are formed in the plates 19 innumber and position corresponding to the number of individualreceptacles formed within the mold pans 17. As illustrated in Figure 3,there are four receptacles transversely of the mold pans and sixlongitudinally thereof, requiring a corresponding number and positioningof the ports 23 in the plates 19.

Between the plates 19 a movable gate valve plate 24 is provided, thisplate being formed with ports 25' that correspond .in number andposition to the ports 23. Plate 24 is moved to and from its closedposition (as illustrated in Figure 2) by means of a valve actuator rod26 which is actuated by the plunger 28 of a fluid or electricallyoperated cylinder or solenoid 29 that is mounted upon the frame by meansof a bracket 27. The mechanism 29 preferably is a Z-position mechanism,one of the positions of which may be secured by actuation of the devicein one direction by means of a spring.

Liquid is supplied to the ports 23 by means of a reservoir 30 mountedupon the upper plate 19 and supplied with liquid through a filler tube31 carried by a cover 32 of the reservoir. Liquid is introduced throughthe filler tube 31 by means of a valve mechanism 33, including a movablevalve plate 34 that is actuated by a valve rod 35 (Figure 4) that iscontrolled by a fluid or electrically operated mechanism 36. Here againthe valve plate 34 is moved between open and closed positions (the openposition being shown in Figures 2 and 4), the timing of the valve in itsopen position serving to provide a desired feed of fluid into thereservoir 30. Liquid is supplied to the valve 33 by means of a supplypipe 3'"! and any other suitable mechanism.

In order that the molds 12 may be successively positioned in the fillingposition occupied by the mold 17 a mold locating mechanism is provided,as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. As molds are advanced from the left(as viewed in Figure 5) by the conveyor, they are properly positionedlaterally of the conveyor by means of guides 38 and thus enter thefilling mechanism. Stop pins 39 and 40 are mounted upon a plate 41 whichis moved toward or away from the conveyor 11 by means of an actuator rod42 that is operated by an actuating mechanism 43 which, with the valveactuating mechanism, may be either fluid or electrically operated. Theframe 15 is provided with a light source 44 by means of which a beam oflight is directed transversely across the frame above the conveyor andin the path of the molds that are moved by the continuously movingconveyor 11. A photoelectric cell mechanism of conventional form,illustrated generally at 45, has the light beam from light source 44focused upon it and is utilized to control the actuating mechanism 43 sothat, when the light beam is uninterrupted by the molds, the plate 41 isin its retracted position (as illustrated in Figure 5), and molds may bemoved into the filling position by means of the conveyor 11. When,however, the beam of light from the light source 44 is interrupted by amold, the actuator mechanism 43 is actuated to move the stop pins 39 and40 into the dotted line position illustrated in Figure 5. This. positionof pin 39 arrests movement of all approaching molds and prevents themfrom entering into the filling machine. At the same time the pin 40interrupts the forward movement of a mold that has advanced into thefilling machine and maintains it in its filling position within themachine during the filling operation.

After the filling operation has been completed, the actuator 43 iscaused to retract the stop pins and permit the filled mold to be removedfrom the machine and an empty mold advanced into filling position.

Accurate filling of a predetermined quantity of liquid into theindividual mold compartments is accomplished by providing timingmechanism for the valve actuator 29, this timing mechanism beingillustrated generally at 46. Makeup liquid for the reservoir 30 is alsocontrolled by a timing mechanism 47 for controlling the valve actuatormechanism 36. The fiuid system is illustrated schematically in Figure 6,as including a conduit 48 for air under pressure, suit-able mechanism 49commonly utilized in pneumatic systems and including an oiler and filterfor beneficiating the bellows mechanism of the various actuators,conduits 50 and 51 in each of which air pressure regulator mechanisms 52are provided, the conduits 50 and 51 being connected to the actuatorsfor the makeup valve and mold stop valve, and the actuator for thefilling valve, respectively.

The elements of this system form no part of the pres ent invention, butrather, are conventional devices commonly known in the art and,therefore, need not be described in further detail herein.

In order that the valve actuators and the mold stop mechanism may becontrolled in accordance with this invention, reference will now be madeto Figure 7 wherein there is shown a wiring diagram of electricalcircuits for accomplishing the control of the various operations inaccordance with this invention. A suitable source of electricity isprovided by a supply line 53 and switch 54, by means of which the sourceof current may be furnished to leads 55 and 56. A double pole singlethrow relay 57 is connected to the leads 55 and 56, the actuator coil 58thereof being connected to the lead 56 and, by means of wires 59 and 60,to the lead 55. A double pole double throw relay 61, through one of itscontactors, controls the flow of current through the wires 59 and 60,one pole 62 thereof operating between contacts A and B and establishingconnection between such contacts and the contact C connected to thepole.

The actuating coil 63 of the relay 61 is connected to the photoelectriccell 45 by means of a circuit 64 in order that the relay 61 may beactuated by the photoelectric cell. Power is supplied to thephotoelectric cell mechanism by means of leads 65 which are connectedacross the power supply leads 55 and 56, the light source 44 receivingpower through low voltage leads 65'. The other pole 66 of the relay 61controls the actuation of timing mechanism 67 for the mold fillingvalve, this pole receiving current from the lead 60 by means of a bridgeconnection 68 and energizing the motor of the timing mechanism 67through a lead 69 connected to contact A of the relay 61. A lead 70serves to connect the motor with a lead 71 that, in turn, is connectedto the lead 56. The lead 71 is connected to the contact B of the relay61 through a telltale light 72 in order to indicate the condition of thecircuit.

The timing mechanism 67 is utilized to control the actuation of themakeup valve as well as the mold filling mechanism and solenoid stop,this being accomplished by means of a power circuit including wires 73and 74 that are connected to the double pole single throw relay switch57. The wire 74 is connected to the terminals of a microswitch 75 thatis actuated by the timing mechanism 67, the wires 73 and 74 thusproviding a power supply for the actuating coils 76 and 77 of therespective relays 78 and 79 as controlled by the timing mechanism 67.

Solenoid control mechanism is provided for the mold filling valve, thismechanism being indicated at 80 as being formed with coils 81 and 82.The mold stop mechanism is actuated by solenoid control mechanism showngenerally at 83 and including coils 84 and 85. The makeup valve forfurnishing makeup liquid to the reservoir is actuated by means ofsolenoid control mechanism indicated at 86 and includes solenoid coils87 and 88. In order that a relatively low voltage source of power supplymay be furnished for actuating the solenoid mechanisms above referredto, a transformer 89 is provided, the primary being connected across theleads 55 and 56 by means of leads 90. The secondary of the transformeris connected to power supply wires 91 and 92, wire 91 being connected tothe common terminal C of each of the solenoid controls 80, 83 and 86.

In order that the mold filling valve and the mold stop mechanism may beactuated upon the appearance of a mold between the light source andphotoelectric cell, the movable switch or pole 93 of the relay 78 isconnected to the wire 92 by means of a lead 94, and contacts A and B ofthe relay 78 are connected to the coils AC and BC of the solenoidmechanisms 80 and 83, respectively, by means of loads 95 and 96. It willthus be seen that when the coil 76 of the relay 78 is energized,

current will flow across the contacts AC of the relay 78, and the coils81 and 34 will be energized to open the mold filling valve and to movethe stops 39 and 40 into mold engaging position. Upon de-energization ofthe coil 76, contacts B and C will be connected together to actuate thecoils 82 and 85, thus to cause the mold filling valve to be closed andtoo retract the aforesaid stops 39 and 4-9. Energization of coil 76 isaccomplished by closing the microswitch 75 of the timing mechanism 67.

The makeup valve 34 is actuated by the mechanism 86 under the control ofa timer 97, the actuating coil 98 of which is connected to lead 55 andto a lead 99 that is connected to contact B of the relay 79. Movablecontact 100 of the relay 79 is connected to the lead 56 and thuscontrols, by its movement between contacts A andv B, the energization ofthe coil 98 of timer 97. The second pole 101 of the relay 79 isconnected to the wire 92 and moves between contacts A and B, contact Bbeing connected through lead 102 to the pole 103 of the timer 9'7. Pole103 moves between contacts A and B of the timer 97 to establishconnection between leads 104 and 105, respectively, these leads beingconnected to the respective coils 87 and 88. As a result, when microswitch 75 is closed, the coil 77 of relay 79 is energized and thecontacts or poles 100, 101 thereof are moved into closed position A andA. In this position the actuating coil of timer 97 is de-energized andthe contactor 103 establishes connection between contacts A and C oftimer 97. However, since no lead is connected to contact A of the relay79, no current flows through the circuit to coil 87 and the make-upvalve does not open. Upon opening of the micro switch 75, the contactsof relay 79 engage terminals B and B causing current to fiow from wire91 through the coil 87, leads 104 and 102 and return via the wire 92.Energization of coil 87 opens the make-up valve to furnish liquid to thereservoir. Engaging terminal B and B of the relay 79 energizes the coil98 of timer 97, which tends to cause pole 103 to make contact acrosscontacts C and B. This movement, however, is not instantaneous but iscapable of being set at a predetermined time interval during whichliquid continues to flow through the make-up valve. After apredetermined time interval pole 103 of timer 97 engages contact B so asto energize coil 38 and close the make-up valve, inasmuch as lead 105will be connected to lead 102. Contact 103 of timer 97 remains in thisposition until the next cycle when energizing of coil 77 of relay 79breaks the connection of pole 100 across C and B and deenergizes coil 98of timer 97. The operation of the mechanism is as follows. When a moldpasses between the light source 44 and the photoelectric cell 45, therelay 61 is actuated causing the confacts A, C and A, C, respectively,to be connected together, thus energizing the coil 53 of relay 57 toclose the relay and energize the power supply provided by the wires 73and 74. At the same time, the timing mechanism 67 is actuated, causingthe micro switch 75 to be closed and the timing motor to initiate itsactuation in order that the micro switch may be opened after apredetermined interval of time. Energization of the power circuit 73, 74causes the relay 78 to be energized, thus energizing the coils 81 and 84to open the mold filling valve 24 and to move the mold stop pins 39 and40 into their dotted line position, as illustrated in Figure 5. Thevalve 224 permits the liquid to flow into the several molds until thetimer 67 opens the micro switch 75, at which time the coil 82 isenergized (coil 81 simultaneously being de-energized) to close the valve24. Simultaneously therewith the coil 85 will be energized to withdrawthe mold stop pins 39 and 40 from the path of the mold, and the filledmold is moved away from the mechanism by the conveyor 11 and a new moldis brought into the filling position, at which time the cycle is againinitiated.

contemporaneously with the opening of the micro switch 75 of the timer67, and the closing of the filling valve 24, the make-up valve isactuated inasmuch as a coil 87 of the make-up valve control 86 isenergized with the de-energizing of coil 77 of relay 79 (as previouslydescribed). After a predetermined interval of time, timer 9'7 energizescoil 88 of makeup valve control 86, and flow of liquid to the reservoirstops. Thus liquid is furnished to the reservoir after the mold isfilled, and before the succeeding mold interrupts the light beam torenew the filling operation.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is not to be limited save as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Mold filling mechanism comprising a supporting surface, acontinuously moving conveyor on the surface, stop means to position amold over the supporting surface, stop means to prevent subsequent moldson the conveyor from approaching the supporting surface, liquid supplymeans, multiple valves positioned above the supporting surface andcommunicating with the liquid supply means, a photoelectric cell andlight source mounted adjacent the conveyor, a first relay and circuitenergized by the photoelectric cell, a second relay actuated by thefirst relay, a power supply circuit closed by the second relay, a switchin the power circuit, time delay actuating means for opening the lastnamed switch, and means actuated by the first relay to close the circuitof the time delay actuating means.

2. Mold filling mechanism comprising a supporting surface, acontinuously moving conveyor on the surface, stop means to position amold over the supporting surface, stop means to prevent subsequent moldson the conveyor from approaching the supporting surface, liquid supplymeans, multiple valves positioned above the supporting surface andcommunicating with the liquid supply means, a photoelectric cell andlight source mounted adjacent the conveyor, a first relay and circuitenergized by the photoelectric cell, a second relay actuated by thefirst relay, a power supply circuit closed by the second relay, a switchin the power circuit, time delay actuating means for opening the lastnamed switch, means actuated by the first relay to close the circuit ofthe time delay actuating means, and means in the power circuit toactuate the stop means and the multiple valves.

3. Mold filling mechanism, according to claim 2,

wherein the actuating means in the power circuit comprises a thirdrelay, a first electro-responsive means for controlling the actuation ofthe multiple valves, a second electro-responsive means for controllingthe actuation of the stop means, and circuits energized by the thirdrelay to energize the first and second electro-responsive means.

4. Mold filling mechanism, according to claim 2, wherein a liquid supplypipe and supply valve is provided to furnish makeup liquid to the liquidsupply means, and wherein a fourth relay is provided in the powercircuit, a third electro-responsive means for controlling the actuationof the supply valve, and a circuit controlled by the fourth relay toenergize the third electro-responsive means.

5. Mold filling mechanism, according to claim 2, wherein the actuatingmeans in the power circuit comprises a third relay, a firstelectro-responsive means for controlling the actuation of the multiplevalves, a second electro-responsive means for controlling the actuationof the stop means, circuits energized by the third relay to energize thefirst and second electro-responsive means, a supply valve in the liquidsupply pipe, a valve in the liquid supply pipe to furnish makeup liquidto the liquid supply means, a fourth relay in the power circuit, a thirdelectroresponsive means for controlling the actuation of the supplyvalve, and a circuit controlled by the fourth relay to energize thethree electro-responsive means.

6. Mold filling mechanism comprising a supporting surface, means fordelivering a mold to the supporting surface, multiple valves above thesupporting surface, an actuator common to all of the valves to effectthe opening and closing thereof, a reservoir for supplying fluid to themultiple valves, a conduit through which the fluid is supplied to thereservoir, a valve in the conduit to control the flow of fluidtherethrough, means responsive to the delivery of a mold to thesupporting surface for operating the multiple valve actuator, and meansassociated with the multiple valve actuator and operated in timedrelation therewith for opening the valve which supplies the fluid to thereservoir for the'purpose of maintaining a quantity of fluid therein.

7. Mold filling mechanism comprising a mold supporting surface, means toposition a mold upon the supporting surface, multiple valves positionedabove the supporting surface, a storage reservoir for the fluid which isto be introduced into the molds, said reservoir communicating with themultiple valves, a conduit supplying liquid to the reservoir, a valvecontrolling the flow of fluid through the conduit, means responsive tothe presence of a mold over the supporting surface to open the multiplevalves, time-controlled means to close the multiple valves, andtim-controlled means rendered operative after the closing of themultiple valves to open the valve which controls the flow of fluid tothe reservoir for the purpose of maintaining the storage reservoiradequately filled.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS766,329 Cunning Aug. 2, 1904 1,289,973 Valerius et al. Dec. 31, 19182,042,772 Fahlbeck June 2, 1936 2,167,894 Kotcher Aug. 1, 1939 2,259,777Politsch et al. Oct. 21, 1941 2,341,705 Fedorchak et al. Feb. 15, 19442,559,242 Boegly et al. July 3, 1951 2,573,100 Haecks Oct. 30, 19512,574,595 Shaw Nov. 13, 1951

